In conversation with .. 5!

Vinyl Pants, Backpack and Top- HEMNOID
Tshirt - ELENA FONIADAKI
How did you first get into drag?
I started doing drag, perhaps kinda accidentally. I used
to perform and dance at shows as a boy on heels. One
day a friend of mine, from Athens, came, saw me, and
asked me if I wanted to do a show at a shop he worked.
To appear as a man in the first show and then in the
second act appear in drag. I did it, and people loved
Lil Botox as much as I did. I started as a small-town
drag queen with more and more guest appearances in
Athens. From September, Lil Botox will be permanently
in Athens working on as many shows as possible. Right
now, she is on vacation. She will be back tanned and
hungry for action.
Who is Lil Botox and how does she, as your persona,
differ from your everyday personality as Manos?
Lil Botox is an elegant creature with great aesthetics and
constantly seeking to arouse the world around her and
catch all eyes. Everybody is after her body trying to tell
her how horny she makes them. Now, Manos is calmer.
He doesn’t listen to Greek songs like my persona.
Actually, when I think about it, these two characters are
complete opposites.
How would you describe the drag scene in Greece at
the moment?
Even though drag is growing in popularity, in Greece,
there are not many clubs and venues that will support
drag. As a result, many of us are unemployed when it
comes to that area. Also, the mentality of people when
they see a drag queen is not like in some countries
abroad. For drag performers, the money is little. Last
year, after much effort, I had managed to persuade the
anti-racism festival to add me to the schedule as the
second-day headlining act, which enabled me to do a
show in the biggest, most central square of Larissa. 5
minutes after I had come out on the stage, the square
was packed! So, I have hope things might change if we
keep pushing for change!
How is the situation regarding LGBTQ+ rights in
Greece? How does it feel going out as Lil Botox?
Not good! We have almost no rights. We must refrain
from expressing ourselves freely in order to be accepted
within Greek society. There is no protection from
anywhere. And when something happens between an
LGBTQ individual and a straight person, it’s always
viewed as the LGBTQ person’s fault. We are made
to feel like a minority. Also, transphobia is still very
present. Especially trans people and sometimes gender
non conforming people are faced with even worse
behaviour.
I don’t feel safe when I go out alone, especially in drag.
I usually choose to have some people go with me just in
case. Even in a taxi.
What do you feel should be the role of drag when it
comes to activism and raising awareness?
Through drag, you can do a lot of activist work and
motivate others, as long as you want to. You can put on
a garment that says something. Or the music pieces you
choose. The entire show can and should be done with
activism in mind. As Lil Botox, being an activist is part
of my identity. I actively support all LGBTQ rights and
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